Internships in London

Fall Semester – 12 weeks (late August to late November)
Spring Semester – 12 weeks (early January to early April)
Summer – 12 weeks (early May to late July)

Sponsored by the College of Arts & Letters, the College of Communication Arts and Sciences, the College of Social Science, and James Madison College

Arranged through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA)

Why participate in an international internship?

In today’s highly competitive workplace, it is increasingly important that undergraduate students add an international dimension to their resumes for future employment and/or to their applications for graduate school. Recognizing this need, the Colleges of Arts & Letters, Communication Arts and Science, Social Science, and James Madison College collaborated with the Office of Study Abroad and a well-regarded internship organization to place students in established British businesses, institutions, and organizations.

In 1777 Samuel Johnson famously said, “when a man is tired of London he is tired of life.” That statement may be even more true today than it was two hundred years ago. The city of London boasts breathtaking cultural treasures, endless multicultural variety and a vibrant, cosmopolitan flair. Combine those factors with its importance as a global financial, commercial and political hub and you have in London a unique setting for professional development.

A London internship can be one of the most rewarding and valuable investments a student can make in preparation for their future career. These internships offer beneficial on-the-job experience and offer students the chance to live and work with people from a different culture. Further, these international internships can build confidence and provide direction for future career goals.

What kinds of placements are available?

MSU interns have been placed with such organizations as Amnesty International, Anti-Slavery International, the United Nations Environment and Development Forum, Cloth Court Communications (advertising), Alone in London (social welfare), Reprieve (law), and Ellen Lewis PR (public relations).

The following list is a small, general example of the wide range of internships that have been found for interns:

Advertising
Banks
Film institutes
Hospitals
Hotels
Human resources
Human rights organizations
Industry
Information technology
International business
Management
Media (TV, radio, magazines, newspapers)
Museums
Non-profit social service organizations
Political parties
Public relations firms
Research institutions
Retailing
Schools
International development agencies
Theatres

All internships through this program are UNPAID.

Internships are 12 weeks in length and available during fall, spring and summer semester.

ARTS & LETTERS MAJORS
Majors in the College of Arts & Letters will work in the field from 35 to 40 hours per week, earning eight MSU credits for their field experience and enroll in AL 493A. All students will be held to the normal internship requirements of the College of Arts & Letters. Arts & Letters majors interested in this program should first meet with Bethany Judge, Program Coordinator in Arts & Letters, to determine eligibility and placement interests. If qualified, students will complete application materials with Bethany Judge.

COMMUNICATION ARTS AND SCIENCES MAJORS
Juniors or seniors in the College of Communication Arts and Sciences (CCAS) will work in the field 35 to 40 hours a week, earning 8-12 CAS credits as COM 493 and CAS 492, and will complete the normal academic requirements of he CCAS Internship course. CCAS majors interested in this program should first meet with Dr. Vernon Miller, Program Coordinator in CCAS, to determine eligibility and placement interests. If qualified, students will complete application materials with Dr. Miller.

JAMES MADISON MAJORS
James Madison College students will earn 12 MSU credits for their Field Experience internship through the JMC Field Experience courses (MC 400 and MC 401). All normal academic expectations and requirements of the JMC Field Experience program will pertain. You will work with the Director of Field Experience in compiling your CAPA application, and will continue contact during and after your internship to ensure timely compliance with the requirements of MC 400 and MC 401. James Madison College majors interested in this program should first meet with Grant Littke, Director of Field Experience, to determine eligibility and placement interests. If qualified, students will be given instructions on completing application materials.

SOCIAL SCIENCE MAJORS
Juniors or seniors in the College of Social Science will work in the field from 35 to 40 hours per week, earning 8-12 MSU credits for their field experience and enroll in SSC 493 "Social Science Internship." All students will be held to the normal internship requirements of the College of Social Science. Social Science majors interested in this program should first meet with Oumatie Marajh, Program Coordinator in Social Science, to determine eligibility and placement interests. If qualified, students will complete application materials with Oumatie Marajh.

OTHER MAJORS
Students majoring in other MSU colleges may contact Oumatie Marajh of the College of Social Sciences or Bethany Judge, College of Arts & Letters, who will provide further direction.

MSU has contracted with an established, well-regarded placement organization to identify student internships. This agency will act as our overseas internship office. Agency professionals will secure full-time internships, set up on-site interviews, make the necessary evaluation visits and will work with the on-site supervisor to oversee the internship for the duration of the placement. Additionally, they will act as the liaison between the site supervisor in London and MSU representatives from James Madison College, the College of Social Science, the College of Arts & Letters, the College of Communication Arts and Sciences, and the Office of Study Abroad.

Obtain a CAPA internship application.

View the CAPA internship handbook.

What are the requirements?

Preference will be given to MSU students majoring in James Madison College, the College of Social Science, the College of Arts & Letters, or the College of Communication Arts and Sciences; however, students from other MSU colleges may be approved on a limited basis.

Students must be in good academic standing, but preference will be given to students with a grade point average of at least 3.0 at the time of application.
Students with a grade point average under a 3.0 may be considered eligible for the program, but should meet with the appropriate coordinator to discuss his/her academic record prior to applying.
Students must be of at least junior status at the time of participation.
Students must submit an essay with their application, stating why they wish to participate in this program.
Students must successfully pass a judicial review
Students must meet with their appropriate internship coordinator to get additional application materials.

Applicants’ participation may be denied or their participation approval may be revoked if their conduct before departure raises doubts as to their suitability for program participation.

Where will I live?

Students will reside in flats (apartments). Due to the high demand for real estate, London flats are smaller than apartments to which students may be accustomed in East Lansing. Four to six students typically share a two-bedroom flat. The flats are fully furnished including a television and kitchen amenities (appliances, cutlery, cookware, etc.) so that students can cook their own meals. Students may request rooms in a flat with greater privacy and amenities for an additional cost. These options are limited, however. Interested students should apply early.

Homestay accommodations with a British family may also available at an additional cost. Most of these are located in the Wimbledon area and include two meals per day.

Specific information about housing placements will be available two weeks before departure.

Who can tell me more about this program?

To begin your internship application contact:

Bethany Judge
College of Arts & Letters
200 Linton Hall
Phone: (517) 355-6519

Vernon Miller
College of Communication Arts and Sciences
564 Communication Arts and Sciences Building
Phone: (517) 355-3280

Grant Littke
James Madison College
329 S. Case Hall
Phone: (517) 353-6757

Oumatie Marajh
College of Social Science
201C Berkey Hall
Phone: (517) 353-9202

For information contact:

Mark Davis
Office of Study Abroad
109 International Center
Phone: (517) 432-1315

Do I need a passport or visa?

U.S. and non-U.S. citizens need a valid passport both to enter other countries and return to the United States. If you already have a passport, make sure it is valid until at least six months after your return date. If you must apply for or renew a passport, APPLY EARLY, since a minimum of eight to ten weeks is usually required for processing. During peak travel seasons, more processing time is required. Passport forms are available at many federal and state courts, probate courts, some county/municipal offices and some post offices. They can also be downloaded from the Web.

For more information about passports visit the web page.

A visa is official permission granted by the authorities of a country where you will study or travel that allows you to enter and remain in that country for a specific purpose. The visa itself is frequently a stamp in your passport, not a separate document. You will need a passport before applying for a visa and the passport plus visa process may take several months, so start early. It is your responsibility to inquire about visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad; this includes countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program. If you are not a U.S. citizen, consult the embassy or consulate of the countries you will visit to learn their document requirements.

For more information about visas visit the web page.

Are there special health issues?

As part of your acceptance you will complete a Student Health/Emergency Treatment Authorization. It is your responsibility to ensure that your routine immunizations are up-to-date; inquire whether there are recommended and/or required immunizations or medications for the country/countries you will visit (including any countries you will visit that are not part of the study abroad program’s itinerary); and review educational issues relevant to your personal health and safety.

See the "Health Issues" section of the Student Handbook for further health information and recommendations.

How much does it cost?

The program fee for summer 2008 was $5,117 and included the following:

application fee ($100)
deposit ($200)
pre-departure orientation
accommodations (apartment)
accident and sickness insurance
activities fee
cost of internship

Amounts not included in the program fee for which participants will need to budget include:

MSU tuition and fees*
airfare (approximately $875)
meals
tube (subway) pass
laundry/dry cleaning
books and supplies
cell phone (required for all interns)
passport application fee
visa application fees (if applicable)
pre-departure doctor visits
pre-departure immunizations (if applicable)
personal spending money

Excluding tuition and fees*, these additional costs were estimated at $7,410 for summer 2008. Students may request a cost sheet which lists both the program fee and an estimate of additional expenses by contacting the Office of Study Abroad at (517) 353-8920.

*Check Student Accounts for current tuition, fees and taxes. MSU students pay the same amount they would pay to study at MSU.

Approximately two months before the program’s departure date, students will receive an e-bill from the MSU Student Accounts Office for the study abroad program fee. Students will also be e-billed for tuition and fees, based on the number of credits taken, once they have enrolled in courses. (Both amounts may be billed at the same time.)

How can I get help to pay for it?

Financial assistance is available to students who make appropriate arrangements with the Office of Study Abroad (OSA) and MSU’s Office of Financial Aid.

If you are an MSU student and indicate on your application that you plan to use financial aid to pay for your study abroad experience, OSA will forward an estimated cost sheet to the MSU Office of Financial Aid for processing. This form will include all anticipated costs associated with the program, including airfare.

For further information about financial aid, visit the Web page.

Additionally, MSU students applying to any credit-bearing study abroad program are eligible for OSA Scholarships. Some scholarships are based exclusively on academic performance; others are based on a combination of academic performance and financial need. Requirements are listed in the scholarship application. The deadlines to apply for these scholarships are March 1st for fall semester and summer programs and October 15th for spring semester programs.

A generous endowment from the MSU Federal Credit Union, as well as additional resources provided through the Forest Akers Endowment, MSU Alumni Association, the Australia-Pacific Council, Charles and Marjorie Gliozzo, Eleanor and Charles Greenleaf Sr., Brigitte and Thomas Huff, the Georges Jules Joyaux Memorial Fund, the Kellogg Foundation, and contributors to the Overseas Study Endowment provide funding for these OSA scholarships.

For even more MSU scholarship opportunities through individual colleges or external scholarship possibilities (including funding for Multicultural students) visit the web page.

How do I apply?

You can apply online or download an application form.

In addition, students must meet with the appropriate internship coordinator to go over additional application materials for the London internship. Be sure to meet with your internship coordinator BEFORE filling out any application materials.

A limited number of unpaid internships will be available to eligible students. Thus, the application process is lengthy and highly selective. It is strongly suggested that interested students begin the process early to ensure ample time to complete all application materials by the deadlines of October 15th (spring internships) or February 15th (summer and fall internships).

If your application is approved, it will be forwarded to CAPA’s internship office in London. Once received by CAPA, an internship will be sought which best matches your abilities and interests to the best of the CAPA coordinator’s abilities and in light of the current circumstances within your requested field. You will likely receive your placement approximately two weeks before the program starts.

When a suitable company or organization has been identified and has agreed to consider the placement, an interview will be arranged to take place during your first week in London. The company will provide a position description form or other document detailing the responsibilities and projects you will undertake.

NOTE: Because the internship interview takes place after your arrival in London, we would like to assure you that if, on the rare occasion, it is determined that a student is inappropriately placed, every effort will be made to find a suitable alternative placement. CAPA has considerable experience in placing students and, to date, no student has been sent home without a position.

A $100 application fee is required. Students will receive an e-bill for the application fee that is applied to the cost of the program and is non-refundable once a student has accepted admission into the program. Students who have accepted admission may also be billed for a non-refundable and non-transferable $200 deposit, also applied to the cost of the program.

Students who wish to withdraw* their application are required to notify the Office of Study Abroad, in writing, that they no longer intend to participate.

Details about the admissions process, pre-departure information, what to know while you’re abroad, and information about returning home can be found in the Study Abroad Student Handbook that will be sent to you with your acceptance letter.

*Withdrawal Policy for the Internships in London program

Due to the nature of an internship, we must send your application materials to CAPA months prior to the start date. In turn, the cancellation penalties may come before those of other study abroad programs. Therefore, the commitment to this program must be taken seriously.

In line with our cancellation policies at the Office of Study Abroad, you will be financially responsible for non-recoverable fees if you withdraw from the Internships in London program. If you withdraw from the program after accepting admission and your written notice of withdraw or transfer if received at the Office of Study Abroad…

60 or more days before the program’s first day, you will be financially responsible for the $100 application fee and $200 deposit.
59 – 46 days before the program’s first day, you will be charged approximately 40% of the program fee.
45 – 22 days before the program’s first day, you will be charged approximately 75% of the program fee.
21 or fewer days before the program’s first day, you will be charged the full program fee.

Program fees, dates, and arrangements may be subject to change due to unexpected circumstances.